Digging-machine



A. PEPPIN.

DIGGING MACHINE.

@PPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEEI 1.

A. PEPPIN.

DIGGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ALBERT PEPPIN, OF ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN.

DIGGING MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed. March 24, 1920. Serial No. 368,450.

T 0 all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ALBERT Pnrrrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ishpeming, in the county of Marquette, and State of Michigan, have invented certain newand useful improvements in Digging- Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in digging machines and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character including a digging shovel, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character particularly adapted for use in underground work. Another ob ect of the invention 1S to provide a device of this general character-embodying novel and improved means whereby the same may be compacted to occupy a minimum of space so that the same may be turned or otherwise adjusted within a relatively small area.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character including a vertically swinging member provided with means for imparting the requisite swinging movement thereto, together with a shovel carrying arm or member pivotally engaged with said first named arm or member and wherein means are provided for imparting movement to the shovel carrying arm or member independently of said first named arm or member.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of this general character embodying a strum ture adjustable about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, together with means for effecting such adjustment and wherein said structure embodies a digging mechanism operable independently of the means for imparting the rotary adjustment to the structure.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved machine'whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan with a portion in section of a digging machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

F 2 is a view in side elevation of my improved machine as herein, embodied;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation of my machine as herein disclosed;

Fig. 4 is a view in top plan of the platform as herein embodied, detached; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the adjustable .filler block as herein em bodied.

as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes a portable structure mounted v upon the wheels l/V adapted to travel upon a trackway T. The body B preferably constitutes a substantial platform and suitably fixed to the upper face thereof is a relatively large gear 1 provided at its axial center with upstanding tubular bearing 2. Fitting within the bearing 2 is a stub shaft 3 depending from the axialcenter of a table a. In mesh with the gear 1 is a pinion 5 carried by the lower end portion of a vertically disposed shaft 6 disposed directly through the table 4: and rotatably supported thereby. The upper end portion of the shaft 6 is provided with a pinion7 with which engages a pinion 8 carried by the drive shaft 9 of a motor M. The motor M may be of any desired type which can be operated to rotate the drive shaft in reverse directions so that the motor can be employed to rotate the table 4 in accordancewith the requirements of practice. The platform P rotatably supports the rollers 10 which rest on the peripheral portion of the table a so that an effective support is provided for said table yet permitting the sameto rotate with a minimum of frictional resistance. The rollers 10 are confined or arranged within an upstanding annular flange 11 which substantially braces the space between the opposed facesof the platform P and the table 4. This flange 11 serves as a guard to prevent dirt or other matter to interfere with the requisite operation of the table it, and particularly as pertains to the intermeshing gear 1 and the pinion 5.

Rotatably supported by the table 4 is a drive shaft 12 comprised in the engine or motor E, and fixed to said shaft 12 is a pinion 1a in mesh with a relatively large gear 15 carried by a shaft 16 rotatably supported by the upstanding bearings 17 mounted upon the table 4; The shaft 16 between the bearing plates 17 has fixed thereto a pinion l8 meshing with a relatively large gear carried by a shaft gear 19 carried by a. shaft 20, also rotatably supported by the bearing plates 17. Secured to the opposite side faces of the gear 19 are the sections 21 of the spaced arms A and the inner extremities of said arm sections' 21 are loosely engaged with the shaft 20. By having the arm sections 21 secured to the gear 19, said arm sections will be caused to swing with the gear 19 and in the direction of rotation of said gear.

-Adjustably engaged with the outer extremities of the arm sections 21 are the arm sections 22 and said sections 21 and 22 when connected or assembled, provide substantially'Sshape or sigmoidal arms A.

'Rotatably supported between the outer extremities of the arm sections 22 or of the arms A proper is a gear 23 in mesh with the pinion 24: positioned between the arm sections 22 a requisite distance inwardly of the gear 23. The gear 24: is fixed to the shaft 25 rotatably supported by the arm sections 22 and an end portion of said shaft extends beyond one of the arms A or arm sections 22 and said extended portion is provided with a sprocket wheel 26. Engaged with the sprocket 26 is a conventional type of sprocket chain 27 which also engages a sprocket 28 carried by ashaft 29. V The shaft 29 is rotatably supported by one of the hearing plates 17 and an additional bearing member 30. The shaft 29 is also provided with an additional sprocket 31 adapted to be connected by a chain 32 with one of the wheels W so that when desired, the portable body 13 may be caused to travel along the trackway T.

The shaft 29 has also aflixe'd thereto a gear 33 in mesh with a pinion 34 carried by a drive shaft 35 comprised in a power generating unit G, capable of operation to rotate the shaft 35 in reverse directions as the necessities of practice may require.

Secured to the opposite side faces of the.

gear 23 are the shovel or dipper arms 36, the inner end portions of said arms being also engaged with the shaft 41. The arms 36 swing in unison with and in the same general direction as the travel of the gear 23 and the outer extremities of said arms 36 terminate in a yoke or fork 37 between which is engaged a digging shovel or dipper 38 of any ordinary or preferred type. One corner portion of the table 4 is provided with three operating levers 39, one of which being in operative engagement with the motor M a second. bein in o erativeenv gagement with the engine E and the third in operative engagement with the power generating unit G so thateach one may be readily operated by a single operator in accordance with the requirements of practice.

The motor M operates to swing, or rotate the table 4 to position the arms A to properly approach the work so that the digger or dipper 38 through the instrumentality of thearms 36 and the power generating unit G coacting therewith, will perform its function.

By swinging the arms A to the limit of their rearward movement and positioning the arms 36 at the limit of their movement toward the arms A, when in such position, the 'machineis compacted to occupy a minimum of space so that the table 4 and the parts carried thereby may be rotated or actually adjusted in a relatively small area and which is of parti ular advantage when the machine is employed in connection with underground work. It is understood, however, that my-improved machine may be employed with equal facility and advantage in connection with surface work.

One end portion of the platform P has pivotallyengaged therewith, substantially midway of its length, a pillow block 10 to which is operatively engaged an axle for a pairof wheels W. By this arrangement, compensation is made for any unevenness in the tractor.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a machine constructed in "accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which is may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spiritthereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrymg out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A machine of the class described comprising a platform, a table'rotatably supported thereby a member mounted on the platform and rotating about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, means for rotating the member, an arm having an end portion fixed to said member movable Vina vertical direction therewith, a second rotatable member supported by the opposite end portion of the arm, a second arm having one end portion fixed to said secondrotatable member, means for rotating said second rotatable member, and a digging element carried by the outer end portion of the second named arm. Y

2. A machine ofthe class described comprising a platform, a table rotatably supported thereby, a member mounted on the platform and rotating about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, means for rotating the member, an arm having an end portion fixed to said member movable in a vertical direction therewith, a second rotatable member supported by the opposite end portion of the arm, a second arm having one end portion fixed to said second rotatable member, means for rotating said second rotatable member, and a digging element carried by the outer end portion of the second named arm, the means for rotating the second named member operating independently of the means for rotating the first named member.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a platform, a table rotatably sup ported thereby, a member mounted on the platform and rotating about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, means for rotating the member, an arm having an end portion fixed to said member movable in a vertical direction therewith, a second rotatable member supported by the opposite end portion of the arm, a second arm having one end portion fixed to said second rotatable member, means for rotating said second rotatable member, and a digging element carried by the outer end portion of the second named arm, each of the means for moving the table, for moving the first named arm,

and for moving the secondnamed arm operating one independently of the other.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a platform, a table rotatably sup ported thereby, a member mounted on the platform and rotating about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, means for rotating the member, an arm having an end portion fixed to said member movable in a vertical direction therewith, a second rotatable member supported by the opposite end por tion of the arm, a second arm having one end portion fixed to said second rotatable member, means for rotating said second rotatable member, and a digging element carried by the outer end portion of the second named arm, the first named arm being substantially S-shaped.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a table, a pair of arms having their inner end portions pivotally connected, the outer end portion of one of the arms being pivotally engaged with the table, a digging element carried by the outer end portion of the second arm, means coaeting with the first named arm for swinging the same about a pivot, and means carried by the first named arm and. operatively engaged with the second named arm for swinging said second named arm independently of the first named arm.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

' ALBERT PEPPIN. 

